When you work in ministry, you feel the weight of responsibility for protecting your congregation. You’ve considered and implemented things like having a designated security team, performing background checks for those working with sensitive material or minors, and locking doors to slow down intruders.
But when it comes to things like “cybersecurity,” “multi-factor authentication,” and “data recovery,” you may be at a loss for how to keep your ministry and your members safe.
Cybersecurity is defined as the protection of “networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.”
That all sounds great, but what does that actually mean?
At its core, cybersecurity is simply putting systems in place to keep everything on your computer or phone safe from anyone who would use that information maliciously.
That may feel like an enormous task, but there are eight easy things you can do to protect your church data from cyber threats, even if you aren’t an expert in IT.
#1: Create Strong Passwords
One of the quickest ways to protect your digital information is to create strong passwords for every account.
Strong passwords contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols and are difficult for anyone to guess, even computers! You shouldn’t include real words or any part of your username or email address.
Creating strong passwords also means never duplicating passwords. If you use the same password for everything, someone only needs to figure out one login to access all of your data.
#2: Use a Password Manager
Keeping track of one strong password can be a challenge, so managing strong passwords for every one of your accounts won’t be an easy task.
A password manager is a worthy investment. It helps you keep track of your login information so you don’t have to click “Forgot Password” whenever you attempt to access an account.
The manager will generate a new, random password for each site and securely store that password. They typically give the option to automatically populate your information when you’re ready to log in, and many will even alert you if any of your existing passwords have been compromised or could be made stronger.
There are numerous password managers on the market, and most require a subscription fee, so look for something within your budget with solid ratings.
#3: Identify and Avoid Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are becoming more prevalent as the world progresses into the digital age. Over 40% of all cyberattacks target churches, so learning to identify and avoid these phishing attempts is vital to protecting your ministry.
When it comes to identifying fake emails, look for:
- Unexpected messages from people or companies you know
- Unnecessary urgency within a message
- Mismatched information (e.g., saying the message is from one company while the email address says something else)
- Bad grammar, missing capitalization, and misspelled words
- Generic greetings or a lack of personalization when there should be
If you’re ever in doubt about the legitimacy of an email, verify independently with the person or company claiming to have sent the message before responding or clicking on any links. It is always better to double-check than to find yourself the victim of a phishing attack.
#4: Establish Systems for Data Recovery
We live in a fallen world where bad things happen every day, often in unpredictable and unavoidable ways.
While you can’t always prevent or escape negative events that impact your data, you can put systems in place beforehand to mitigate data loss should the worst happen.
Data recovery is precisely what it sounds like: the process of retrieving information that has been lost, deleted, corrupted, or made inaccessible, whether deliberately or accidentally.
Many IT solutions, such as Higher Ground, offer tools for data recovery, so you don’t have to worry about what to do if your church experiences a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or simply human error.
#5: Utilize Multi-factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security feature that requires multiple forms of verification when attempting to access information. It also allows access to an account through a secondary method if a password is forgotten or compromised.
It may sound complicated, but it adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts and is easy to use and set up.
It’s likely that many of the sites you already use offer the option to turn on multi-factor or two-factor authentication. For those with the authentication built in, you simply select the option to turn on the MFA in the settings and follow the steps to set it up.
For accounts that don’t have built-in MFA, many password managers have the ability to implement the security measure to further protect you.
#6: Secure and Encrypt Wi-Fi
Just because your church Wi-Fi has a password does not mean it is secure from cyber threats.
The first step to securing your wireless system is changing your Wi-Fi’s SSID (the default name your network comes with) and creating a strong password.
Enabling encryption protocols like WPA2 or WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) prevents outside entities from accessing your network.
Securing your Wi-Fi doesn’t mean you can’t still offer online connectivity to your congregation, but you should set up a guest network specifically for them.
Anyone with the password to your Wi-Fi can potentially access any devices linked to that network and any data on those devices. But even aside from someone deliberately attempting to cause harm to your ministry, using a malware-infected device or downloading a virus while connected to a network can impact that system. Providing a separate guest network will limit those who can harm your data.
Protecting your data includes securing your network. So instruct your staff and any approved volunteers only to access sensitive data on your main network and take advantage of the added protections a secure password and Wi-Fi Protected Access system provide.
#7: Update Software Regularly
Software updates often include improved security measures or fixes for holes in the security of a system that only go into effect once installed.
Delaying or intentionally declining updates to software systems allows space for preventable data breaches.
Most software systems can enable automatic updates or turn on notifications when an update is made available. Check regularly for solutions that require manual updates, and always install updates directly from the vendor rather than clicking links in emails or advertisements.
#8: Restrict Access to Data
One of the easiest ways to protect your church’s data is to limit who has access to it.
Many church management solutions offer role-based access, meaning that someone can have access to the parts of your ministry’s data without being able to see anything that isn’t relevant to their specific role.
For example, the person responsible for managing your volunteer schedules likely doesn’t need access to the church’s financial records.
Managing who can see certain things is an extra protection from those who would intentionally or unintentionally cause harm because it limits the amount of information available in the event of a data breach.
Getting Started
Whether you consider yourself tech-savvy or not, church IT can be intimidating. You’ve been charged with protecting your congregation, and the digital world is full of unknown and unfamiliar threats.
But while it may feel like an insurmountable task, it is possible to keep your church and its data safe from both deliberate and accidental threats.
For additional help managing your church’s IT needs, check out Higher Ground Managed IT.
ACS Technologies
ACS Technologies sets a new standard in church technology, offering a holistic suite of solutions that streamline administrative tasks and empower your staff to excel in their roles and your church to excel in your community.
In the ever-evolving landscape of church engagement and management, ACS Technologies rises above the rest. Our comprehensive church solutions, bespoke digital offerings, streamlined communication tools, comprehensive ministry consulting, and training make us the trusted choice for over fifty thousand churches. Experience the ACS Technologies advantage and elevate your church’s online presence, connectivity, and generosity today. Join us in redefining church technology for the digital age, where your ministry’s success becomes our shared mission.
